The public hearing into plans to build on the Big Pit in Hinckley resumes for its second day of evidence today at the Hinckley Hub.

The applicant wants to fill in the Big Pit water feature and build houses on the site.

Campaigners, including Hinckley Lib Dem councillors Michael Mullaney and David Bill, have over a number of years fought to save the Big Pit.

Councillor Michael Mullaney said: “This could be the last opportunity to finally save the Big Pit from development. Both Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council have opposed the plans to build on the Big Pit. Hopefully we can convince the government inspector to agree too and turn down the appeal to build.

“Residents have raised real concerns about the noise and dust that would be caused by the filling in of the Big Pit which would put thousands of lorry movements onto Ashby Road, where the access point to the site will be. There are also many concerns about the risk of flooding being increased if the Big Pit were filled in. I hope as many people as possible will come to the Hearing on Thursday to put the case for saving the Big Pit.”

The landowner is appealing a refusal of the latest application to obliterate the pit and build a 50-home mini estate on the area.

Leicestershire County Council planning committee members rejected the bid - which had gone to them because it revolved primarily around the tipping issue.

The scheme, the first stage of the property development, involved up to 76 HGVs a day for five months using Ashby Road as the main route to dump thousands of tonnes of soils and clay into the pit.